Norway's royal women wear crowns of flowers of a special day for King Harald and Queen Sonja
Twenty five years ago today, she walked into Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim dressed all in white as she and her husband were blessed as King and Queen of Norway. Sonja returned exactly a quarter of a century on, still all in white, for a special ceremony marking her and her husband's silver jubilee. There was no coronation that day in 1991 but on this special anniversary, Queen Sonja later appeared in a crown of flowers. It was a fitting end to a happy day.
Harald and Sonja of Norway during the special service marking 25 years as King and Queen
King Harald and Queen Sonja are currently on a Jubilee tour which will take them to many corners of Norway. But this stop was always going to be filled with meaning. Trondheim was the seat of the Kings of Norway in times past and it was the capital of Norway until 1217. It was there that Harald and Sonja took part in a special ceremony in 1991 as their reign got under way. Today, it was the scene of more celebrations for what has already been a hugely successful jubilee.
The royal couple, accompanied by their children and grandchildren, arrived at Nidaros Cathedral for a special service of thanksgiving for their 25 years on the throne in the grey light of a Norwegian morning.
With them were Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Martha Louise and her husband, Ari Behn, as well as their four granddaughters, Maud, Ingrid Alexandra, Leah and Emma and their only grandson, Sverre Magnus. King Harald's sister, Princess Astrid, also took part as did Marius, Mette-Marit's son.
The ceremony clearly meant a huge amount to the Norwegian King and Queen - Harald went on to say as much later in the day as he gave a speech. It was another chance to meet the many wellwishers who have wanted to celebrate this jubilee with them.
There had been another chance to get out and about and have a good old chat earlier in the day when the whole Royal Family headed to Ravnkloa fish market for a breakfast walkabout and a chance to come face to face with a couple of kippers and haddocks. We all need royals with fish photos on a regular basis.
But it was the last part of the day that brought a crown for Queen Sonja. The royal couple were guests of honour, along with their family, at a garden party held a the royal residence and as they made their balcony appearance, the Queen of Norway led the women of her royal family in wearing flowers in their hair.
The coronets of flowers were very pretty and traditional and meant that, 25 years on, this queen consort was crowned as she celebrated the anniversary of a very special day.
Photo credit: kongehuset.no
No comments:
Post a Comment